Reflections and revelations from a year of politics — direct from a spinney in the English countryside where the annual badger summit took place

Our columnist on why he has no plans to stop and the changes he has seen

It’s hard to find a single trade type who thinks failing to agree an extension is anything but a potential disaster

Gove unveils ‘customs agent academy’ and is talking to freight businesses

German constitutional court blows open questions about ECB independence and the supremacy of EU law

GPs and charities warn patients dying from coronavirus are suffering unnecessarily

Indian entrepreneur claims a small group of executives were involved at the hospital group

Killings in Dera’a province are testing Syrian leader’s alliance with Russia

Tala al-Jabri is among a rising number of female professionals in the kingdom

Making it very hard to leave a company sends a worrying signal to potential recruits

Ross McEwan to step down from top job at end of October

Resist the temptation to rely on networks. Plus: practical tips for recruiters

Stefan Bomhard joins tobacco group from car dealer Inchcape

How discarded laughing-gas cylinders were used to create glitter from litter

The annual parade of work by living composers went online, performed from living rooms

Downing Street says any changes will be ‘very limited’ to avoid second peak of infections

Minister omits eastern leg to Yorkshire in statement on high-speed rail project

London mayor wants to renegotiate £2bn of existing loans with government to ease cash flow

Court hears claim in lawsuit that has laid bare feud over media, retail and hospitality empire

Optimism of large chains belies scepticism that film goers will flock back

Pandemic has added to pressure on companies already facing tough financial conditions

Boris Johnson’s government was focused on Budget and Brexit — until disease took a grip

Lockdowns and restrictions set to halt Italian coffee maker’s 17-year growth trajectory

Steve Easterbrook lost his job after relationship with colleague but kept stock options

Patrick Jenkins discusses the Financial Conduct Authority's latest insider trading case and what it tells us about how market abuses are being tackled, why HSBC is on the defensive in China, and why Credit Suisse is suing the UK tax authorities.With special guest Mark Steward, Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight for the Financial Conduct Authority.

Contributors: Patrick Jenkins, financial editor, Caroline Binham, financial regulation correspondent, David Crow, banking editor, and James Kynge, global China editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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David Crow and guests discuss Standard Chartered chief Bill Winters' 'voluntary' pay cut after a dispute over his pension allowance, Citigroup's confidence in the City of London regardless of the outcome of Brexit, and gathering clouds for Facebook's much hyped digital currency, Libra. With special guest David Livingstone, chief executive of Citigroup in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Contributors: David Crow, banking editor, Stephen Morris, European banking correspondent, and Laura Noonan, US banking editor. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Matthew Vincent and guests discuss revelations about the UK's opening gambit in seeking a deal on 'equivalence' with the EU, Tidjane Thiam's ouster from Credit Suisse, HSBC's delay in choosing a permanent chief executive, and challenger bank Starling's fund raising. With special guest Ann Boden, chief executive of Starling Bank.

Contributors: Matthew Vincent, regulation correspondent, David Crow, banking editor, Stephen Morris, European banking correspondent, and Nicholas Megaw, retail banking correspondent. Producer: Fiona Symon

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Struggling parents demand help as work dries up due to coronavirus crisis

President’s intervention over Suleyman Soylu suggests division at regime’s heart, analysts say

Those who have struggled to ‘dress the part’ will find respite in the former Vogue editor’s essays

Formation of regional coalitions offers a path to a staggered exit

Factories reopen but economy still faces challenges from weak services sector

Is the operatic tradition defunct? Where and how should new operas be put on? And which are the great modern operas? On the opening of Alexander Raskatov's A Dog's Heart at the Coliseum in London, Jan Dalley, FT arts editor, puts these questions to Andrew Clark, the paper's chief classical music critic, and Nicholas Payne, former director of The Royal Opera, the English National Opera and Opera North. Plus, Martin Bernheimer, the FT's classical music critic in New York, discusses what he sees as the conservatism of American opera-goers.  

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The British Film Institute has just launched a season of Woody Allen comedies, ranging from his knockabout beginnings to the recent Midnight in Paris, his biggest commercial success to date. Like Match Point (2005) and Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008), Midnight in Paris was hailed as a “return to form” by some – but has he really still got it? How does his recent output compare to the earlier films? And do those classics still resonate today? Raphael Abraham is joined in the studio by Geoff Andrew, Head of Film Program at the BFI, Peter Aspden, FT arts writer and Nigel Andrews, FT film critic. Produced by Griselda Murray Brown  

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The German band’s shows at Tate Modern were wildly oversubscribed. But hot tickets and artistic pleasure don’t necessarily go hand in hand, says the FT’s arts writer  

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Europe’s film-makers want protection from the might of Hollywood. That’s understandable, argues the FT’s arts writer, but also wrong-headed: the two traditions are deeply intertwined  

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A forthcoming season on Channel 4 aims to demystify our sexual behaviour – to be ‘open’ and ‘honest’ about a 'normal part of all our lives'. Good luck with that, says the FT’s arts writer  

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The Director of Cultural Partnerships at King's College London reflects on the growing appetite among artists and arts organisations for evidence about the impact and value of what they do  

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Though shortlisted for the prestigious photography award, Nigeria’s Abraham Oghobase has been refused a visa by the UK government. That’s a sorry state of affairs for a country that professes to be in the vanguard of cultural openness, says the FT’s arts writer. This week’s column is read by Alexander Gilmour.  

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A developing theme in new music sees artists navigating the fine line between criticism and complicity - and revelling in the contradictions.  

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The received wisdom is that contemporary art is just what a regenerating city needs, a stimulant for minds and economies alike. But are the wilfully puzzling tropes of the avant-garde really what the public wants?  

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Politicians love to keep things simple, at least in their public pronouncements. Artists, by contrast, embrace complication, nuance and imagination – so who better to tackle slippery questions of national identity as the UK prepares for a general election?  

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David Cheal digs into the story of the Britney Spears hit Toxic finding Bollywood samples, acoustic deconstruction and a role as currency in an imagined apocalyptic future. Credits: Jive, Saregama, Beeswing Records  

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Ben Lerner is one of the most highly praised and unconventional writers of his generation. The 37-year-old recently met John Sunyer, a commissioning editor on FT Weekend, to talk about why he's 'doomed to write more novels'. Here, he reads one of his favourite poems.  

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Jimmy Webb's mournful ballad became one of the most-covered songs of the 20th century. Sue Norris explores its appeal for artists from Nick Cave to Isaac Hayes. Credit: Imperial, Capitol, Mute, Enterprise  

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Do you find yourself stumped by questions about how much to put towards your mortgage payment versus your investments? It may be time for a midlife financial MOT. Presenter James Pickford talks to FT reporter Lucy Warwick-Ching about why advisers are targeting people in their forties and fifties. Next, we speak to a woman who cleared credit card debt to the tune of £16,000. And finally, we discuss what's behind Britain's growing tax gap. 

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Inheritance tax rules are due for a shake up - FT Money editor Claer Barrett asks whether efforts to simplify the system can ever shake off its claim to be "Britain's most hated tax"? Next, experts discuss whether the IR35 tax rules are flawed or not. And finally, Alan Livsey, the FT's wine buff talks about an investment that is literally liquid - fine wine.

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Taxing questions ahead of the General Election - as the spending pledges of the major parties add up, how might the tax rules change to pay for it all? Presenter Claer Barrett talks to Nimesh Shah, a partner at Blick Rothenberg to get the answers. Plus, if you’re already dreading your annual tax return, would you prefer it if computers did it for you? Chris Giles, the FT’s economics editor, has been probing the future shift toward personal tax accounts that could deduct what you owe in real time! And finally, Becky O'Connor from Royal London tells listeners about a host of savings tips and tricks that could help you balance your own budget. 

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The well-advised wealthy are worrying that pensions benefits could be cut. FT Money Show presenter Claer Barrett asks the FT's pensions expert for the details. Next up we discuss whether it's better to invest in buy to let or a holiday let? And if you're thinking of buying a new car you might change your mind about how you finance it after you listen to this podcast. 

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